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John E. Branch III

John E. Branch III

Partner

301 Hillsborough Street
Suite 1400
Raleigh, NC 27603
john.branch@nelsonmullins.com

John concentrates his practice in complex business, employment, and constitutional law. He regularly advises clients on business matters and disputes involving contracts, shareholder and LLC member issues, fraud, unfair competition, defamation, and other business-related claims. John also counsels and advocates for clients in all aspects of employment law, including preparation and litigation of employment, separation,...

John concentrates his practice in complex business, employment, and constitutional law. He regularly advises clients on business matters and disputes involving contracts, shareholder and LLC member issues, fraud, unfair competition, defamation, and other business-related claims. John also counsels and advocates for clients in all aspects of employment law, including preparation and litigation of employment, separation, and non-compete agreements on behalf of both businesses and executives, preparation of internal corporate employment documents, and representation in disputes involving the Fair Labor Standards Act, the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act, and other federal, state, and local employment statutes and regulations. He has appeared in practically all levels of state and federal courts in North Carolina and has appeared in state or federal courts in South Carolina, Ohio, Louisiana, Iowa, Maine, and Colorado. John also counsels and advocates for clients in constitutional and political law issues, as well as in charter school and other school choice and educational matters.

John E. Branch III

and non-compete agreements on behalf of both businesses and executives, preparation of internal corporate employment documents, and representation in disputes involving the Fair Labor Standards Act, the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act, and other federal, state, and local employment statutes and regulations. He has appeared in practically all levels of state and federal courts in North Carolina and has appeared in state or federal courts in South Carolina, Ohio, Louisiana, Iowa, Maine, and Colorado. John also counsels and advocates for clients in constitutional and political law issues, as well as in charter school and other school choice and educational matters.

John concentrates his practice in complex business, employment, and constitutional law. He regularly advises clients on business matters and disputes involving contracts, shareholder and LLC member issues, fraud, unfair competition, defamation, and other business-related claims. John also counsels and advocates for clients in all aspects of employment law, including preparation and litigation of employment, separation,... and non-compete agreements on behalf of both businesses and executives, preparation of internal corporate employment documents, and representation in disputes involving the Fair Labor Standards Act, the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act, and other federal, state, and local employment statutes and regulations. He has appeared in practically all levels of state and federal courts in North Carolina and has appeared in state or federal courts in South Carolina, Ohio, Louisiana, Iowa, Maine, and Colorado. John also counsels and advocates for clients in constitutional and political law issues, as well as in charter school and other school choice and educational matters.

Experience

Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Associate and partners, boutique litigation firm (2007 – 2020)
  • Associate, national labor and employment firm (2005–2007)
  • Law Clerk for the Honorable Glen M. Williams, Senior United States District Judge for the Western District of Virginia (2004–2005)

Education

  • University of North Carolina School of Law, JD
    • Symposium Editor, North Carolina Law Review
    • Federalist Society
  • University of North Carolina
    • William R. Davie Scholar

Admissions

  • North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Practice Areas

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Benchmark Litigation, North Carolina "Labor and Employment Star" (2021–2022, 2024)
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2023–2024), Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law (2022–2024), Commercial Litigation (2023–2024), Corporate Law (2024), Employment Law–Individuals (2024), Employment Law–Management (2023–2024), Litigation – Labor and Employment (2021–2024)
  • Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Litigation (2018, 2020, 2022, 2023), Employment (2021)
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers® (2015–2021); Named among Top 100 North Carolina Super Lawyers (2021, 2022) and Top 25 Raleigh Super Lawyers (2021–2023), Business Litigation (2024)
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers® “Rising Star” (2010–2014) 
  • American Bar Association
  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • North Carolina Bar Association, Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section Chair (2021–2022)
  • North Carolina Bar Association, Administration of Justice Committee
  • Wake County Bar Association
  • Triangle Chapter of the Federalist Society
    • President (2006–2011)
  • Chairman, North Carolina State Ethics Commission (2017–2018)
  • General Counsel, North Carolina Republican Party (2010–2012)
  • Commissioner, Raleigh Historic Districts Commission (2009–2010)
  • Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Raleigh Class 28